A coffeehouse for your spirit

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Eagle Public Library will host a free, live performance with Colorado musician Jeff Van Devender at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 28. He will perform his original music on digital piano as he shares stories about his various pieces.

JavaMusiK's Van Devender is a versatile pianist who plays a diverse range of tunes, including pop, classical and light jazz. He has been a piano composer and arranger for more than three decades.

Fans have referred to his music, with its unique blend of piano technique and flair, as "a coffeehouse for your spirit." His music also has been described as Jim Brickman introducing George Winston to Elton John. His piano melodies blend classical, jazz and subtle rock influences with a touch of soul. Listeners are transported to another time and place.

His wordless melodies project a mood or environment of a topical nature. He has said that while composing, a melody cannot be forced. "When it is ready, it will arrive. Sometimes I set a table for the melody's arrival, but I often have to make a choice to be patient. Other times, a melody will just materialize without warning and I must quickly work before it vanishes!"

Van Devender comes from a musical background. His father was a band director and his mother was church choir director. He received his master's degree in musical education from the VanderCook College of Music.

Van Devender taught at Gypsum Elementary School during the early 1990s. During his tenure as a music teacher there, he was asked to write the school song. A copy of that song was placed in the time capsule of the building's cornerstone.

Currently Van Devender is an elementary music teacher in New Castle, as well as the full-time organist/pianist at First United Methodist Church in Glenwood Springs and at St. John's Episcopal in New Castle. He has performed at many venues over the years - charity events, festivals, ceremonies, weddings, churches, concerts, art shows, restaurants and hotels.

Van Devender was certified "Top 100" by the International Association of Independent Recording Artists in 2010. He has composed and arranged more than 40 pieces for piano. He has released three CDs: "Ascend," "Bending Chords" and "Don't Ever Forget." The Eagle Library has these CDs in its audio collection for check-out. Van Devender will also have his CDs for sale at the library after his performance.

The Eagle Library has been open on Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m. for more than 10 years, and I often talk with people who are not aware the library is available to them during this special time of the week. I have noticed several patrons who do know these hours making it part of their weekly routine. It provides a nice family outing as well.

So, please join us at 2 p.m. for a musical hour on Sunday, Oct. 28. Kick back and enjoy Jeff's relaxing music on a Sunday afternoon at the library.

For more information about this event, please call me at 328-8800. For more information about Van Devender's music, or to hear a sampling of his songs, you can visit www.JavaMusik.com.